Lamp shade construction



April 3, 1956 o. H. WILLIAMS LAMP SHADE CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed April 23, 1953 INVENTOR April 1956 o. H. WILLIAMS 2,740,886

LAMP SHADE CONSTRUCTION Filed April 23, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VE NTOR. Olauerfz. ZVa'llaams axizz United 2,740,886 li atentecl Apr. 3,1956 ice LAMP SHADE CONSTRUCTION Oliver H. Williams, Elkhart, Ind,assignor t Industriat Lamp Corporation, Ellkhart, Ind., a corporation oiIllinois Application April 23, 1953, Serial No. 350,580

12 Claims. (Cl. 240-108) This invention relates to a lighting and lampfixture in general. More specifically, the invention is directed to theconstruction and arrangement of a decorative lamp shade.

It is one of the objects of the present invention to provide a low costmultiple piece lamp shade constructed from parts that are elficientlyand easily fabricated.

it is another object of the present invention to provide a lamp shadehaving decorative open areasfor the passage of limited light rays toenhance the appearance of the shade over the conventional solid lampshade.

Another object of this invention is to provide a decorative lamp thatincludes constructional means embodying light diffusion members to allowlight passage through the decorative areas of the shade but in non-glareintensities.

Itis another object of this invention to provide light diffusion membersthat are constructed from translucent heat resistant materials toWithstand the heat generated by the lamp of the shade. As a furtherobject the invention contemplates the use of aheat resistance dye,enamel or lacquer with which to cover and dye the heat resistantmaterial whereby the decorative areas of the lamp shade emit coloredlight. I

A further object of the present invention is to construct a lamp shadeof the character noted by the assembly of at least two light shields ofsegmental nature which are joined in such a fashion that they areseparated or spaced apart for the greater portion of their lengths toreceive interposed connecting elements that include decorativeperforations, and which elements also stabilize or join the segmentalspaced shields into a completed lamp housing or light enclosing shade.

The construction further provides connecting elements for the lampshields that incorporate guide means for colored or tinted andinterchangeable inserts which are releasably retained in superimposedrelation with respect to the decorative areas presented by the elementsintermediate the spaced portions of the lamp shade shields.

All other objects and advantages of the present invention shallhereinafter appear in the following detailed description havingreference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of thisspecification.

In the drawings: t Figure l is a side elevational view embodying thelamp shade construction of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a similar side elevational view of the lamp shade partiallydisassembled and with certain parts thereof broken away and in section;

Figure 3 is an end elevational view of one of the segmental shieldportions of the lamp shade as seen from the right in Figure 2 andincluding certain connecting parts;

Figure 4 is a plan view of the perforated decorative strip whichtisinterposed between the spaced shields of the lamp shade and which alsoforms the connecting element for joining the shields and for holdingcolored inserts;

Figure 5 is an edge view of the decorative connecting strip illustratedin Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary side view of the lamp shade illustrating theassembled arrangement of the parts and the decorative portion of thelamp shade;

Figure 7 is a similar view as that shown in Figure 6 but including theinsertion of the colored or tinted insert;

Figure '8 is a plan view of one of the colored inserts of the lampshade; and

. Figure 9, 10 and 11 are successive transverse cross sectional viewstaken substantially along the lines 9-9, Ill--10 and 1111 in Figure 7.

The lamp shade of the present invention may be used as a portion ofnumerous types of fixtures or desk lamps and other analogous devices ofthis character. As shown in Figure l, the lamp shade is connected with awall fixture. In the preferred construction of shade illustrated inFigure l, the assembly comprises at least one pair of segmental shields1 and 2 having decorative means such as 3 interposed on each side of thelamp at degrees with respect to each other. The heel end of the lamp isfinished off with an enclosure member comprising the cap 4- whichnormally carries the lamp socket construction, internal wires, etc. Asillustrated in Figure l, a hollow support 5 is connected with the cap 4and this unit is pivotally carried upon one end of the support 6 whichis arranged to swivel at 7 with respect to the mounting base 8 that issuitably connected to a wall such as 9.

As best illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, each of the segmental shields 1and 2 are or identical construction so that reference to theconstructional parts and arrangement of one will be identical to theother. 'The shield 1 comprises the outwardly flared and segmental shade10 having spaced longitudinal edges such as 11 terminating in spacedrelation to the matched shield edge 11 of the shield 2. This spacedarrangement extends substantially the length of the shade structure andterminates at 12 as shown in Figure 2. The heel end of each of thesegmental shields is provided with a semi-circular annular rim 13 whichprovides heel edges 14 that abut one another as best shown in Figure 2.By placing the two shields together with the heel edges in abuttingrelation and with the semi-annular portions aligned as shown in Figure2, each of the shield sections are joined or connected by retainingclips 15 which overlap the seams formed by the edges 14 and theseretaining clips are suitably welded or otherwise secured to thesemi-circular rims 13. This positions the two lamp shields as shown inFigure 2. The cap 4 is assembled upon the completed rim 13-13 overlyingthe same and further stabilizing this assembled portion of the lampshade structure. The cap 4, when assembled, also places the bracket tsin a given relation with respect to the lamp enclosure to suitablysupport a conventional lamp receiving socket as is conventionalpractice.

it should-also be noted that the cap 4 is provided with projections suchas l5 that enter suitably formed bayonet slots 16 that are formed in therim halves 13 of each shield l. and 2. In this manner the cap 4 may beremoved and again assembled during the construction of the lamp orduring the servicing of the parts thereof if this becomes necessary.

The edges 11 of each of the shields together with the edges 12 thereofare reenforced by means of bands 17 which follow the contour of theopening 18 formed between the respective lamp shades or shields at eachside of the lamp structure. These bands reenforce the relatively thinmetal edges of the two shields and also prevent damage or crushing ofthe members during assembly and after assembly. In addition, each of theedges 11 are provided with suitable cars such as 19 and 20 associatedwith the shields l and 2. It should also be noted that the retainingclips are each provided with an offset portion such as 21 to create apocket at each side of the completed shade and in alignment with theopenings 18 between the shields. These pockets are best illustrated inFigures 6 and 7.

The assembly of the shade is completed by means of strips 22 such asshown in Figures 4 and 5. These strips form an integral portion of thedecorative means 3 illustrated in Figures 1, 6 and 7. Each of the strips22 is angled or produced in tapered fashion to fit into the opening 18which is also of similar contour as best noted in Figures 1 and 2. Tnestrips 22 are provided with decorative perforations 23 that extendsubstantially the length of the strips and between a pair of guidesforming channels 24- and 25, which channels extend along the oppositeedges of the strips 22. Each of the strips 22 also has a pair of slots26 and 27 which are adapted for the reception of the cars 19 and 20 atthe adjacent shield edges.

in completing the assembly of the lamp shade per se, one of the strips22 is connected adjacent each opening 18 to the spaced or separatedshield portions of the lamp as best shown in Figure 6. The strip has theend 28 adapted for insertion into the pocket 21 of the retaining clip 15and the end 29 of the strip is arranged to receive the cars 19 and 2%which are normally maintained in upright position with respect to theedges 11 of each of the shields during the assembly of the shade. Bothof these cars 19 and 22') are then bent over as shown in Figure 9 tolock the decorative strip 22 into position across the opening 18 betweenthe lamp shields. By means of the stabilization of the end 23 of thestrip 22 in the pocket 21 and by means of the general rigidity of thestrip which is superimposed inwardly of the lamp and behind the band 17,together with the securing of the ears 1% and to the strips, forms arigid lamp assembly. Thus the insert 22 comprises the decorative memberand also the stabilizing and connecting means for the shade partsprimarily including the segmental shields 1 and 2. In this connection,it should also be noted that the channels 24 and 25 form reenforcingmeans for the strip 22 creating longitudinal stiffness at the joiningareas of the lamp shields and that these channels are also maintainedagainst the rear portion of the edges 11-11 of the shields l and 2 andalong the areas defined by the bands 1717.

As seen in Figures 7 and 8, a colored insert 30 provides the lightdiffusing means which is interchangeably insertable into the guide meansand channels of the strip 22. This insert 30 may be of a transparentnature if desired, but preferably it is semi-transparent andtranslucent. Furthermore, the insert 3!) is constructed from a heatresistant material which may be similar to glass or mica or somesuitable plastic. Preferably the insert illustrated at 33 in Figures 7and 8 is made of fibre glass and comprises a relatively stiff sheet ofmaterial giving the same sullicien'; body to maintain its shape while inuse. in addition, this insert may be colored or tinted by suitabledyeing or coating of one or both sides of this unit. The tintingmaterial or dye as well as any surface coloring fluid is of a characterwherein this material is heat resistant so that it does not change incolor nor does this material liake off of the insert or insert material.The present construction contemplates the use of a colored enamel whichis applied to the strip ard baked on under high temperature conditions.Such a strip has proven durable and can withstand the normal hightemperatures which exist in a lamp shade by reason of the considerableheatgenerated by the lamp.

As shown in Figure 8, the strip comprises the tapered arrangementproportioned to fit the insert and the guides thereon. in addition, theleft hand portion of the strip shown at 31 is formed to fit in with thecontour of the 4 end 2% of the strip 22. It should also be noted thatthe strip is provided with lateral projections 32 and 33.

in the construction of the assembled lamp and as best seen in Figures 7and 9, it should be noted that the ears i9 and 20 are maintained in thegeneral plane of the channels 24 and 25 of the insert 22. Furthermore,each of the cars 19 and 2t) are spaced away from the adjacent channelends to thereby provide the slotted areas as shown at 34 and in Figure6. By inserting a relatively stiff and thin insert 39 into the channels24 and 25, the end of the insert also enters into the pocket 21 of theretaining clip while the forward or outer edge portion 36 of the stripsnaps into place behind the cars 19 and 20 with the edges 37 and 3% ofthe strip abutting such ears. The shoulders 39 and it) engage the edges41 and 42 of the channels, thus holding the entire insert in place overthe perforations Z3 and against accidental removal during the use of theshade. in this connection, the pointed end 43 does provide a finger tipportion that is accessible to lift the forward end 31 of the insert outof its retained location between the cars 19 and 2t) and channels 24 and2:3 to remove the insert from the guide portion 22. Thus the insert 3t";may be interchangeably used in the lamp to change the color combinationsof the difiused light.

The foregoing explanation has been directed to the preferred embodimentof the invention as illustrated in the drawings. it is obvious thatother changes may be made in the exact construction of the individualparts or the assembly thereof without departing from the fundamentalconcept of this invention. in this connection, it is deemed that two ormore individual segmental shield sections may be employed with a likeadditional number of inserts or decorative means between such multipleshields. All modifications shall, however, be governed by the breadthand scope of the appended claims directed to this invention.

What 1 claim is:

l. A shade for a lamp comprising at least two independent segmentalshields, said shields having certain adjacent edge portions thereofcontiguously arranged, with certain other edge portions of said shieldsarranged in spaced relationship with respect to each other, and stripsinterposed between said spaced shield portions and connected with eachto occupy the area between said spaced portions of said shields andterminating at the contiguous edge portions thereof to provide acompleted lamp receiving enclosure.

2. A shade for a lamp comprising independent segmental shields disposedin edge to edge relation, said shields having certain portions thereofcontiguously arranged, with other portions of said same edges of saidshields arranged in spaced relationship with respect to each other, andstrips interposed between said spaced edge portions of said shields andconnected with each to provide a completed lamp receiving enclosure,said strips each being constructed with perforations providing adecorative design positioned in the exposed areas between said spacededge portions of said shields.

3. A shade for a lamp comprising segmental shields, said shields havingcertain adjacent edge portions thereof abuttingly arranged andcontiguous, with other portions of said same edge arranged in spacedrelationship with respect to each other, and strips interposed betweensaid spaced edge portions of said shields and connected with said edgesto provide a completed lamp receiving enclosure, said strips each beingconstructed with perforations providing a decorative design positionedbetween said spaced edge portions of said shields, guide means on saidstrips, and interchangeable colored inserts carried by said guide meansin superimposed relation with respect to said strip perforations.

4. A shade for a lamp comprising segmental shields arranged to edgewisejoin each other, said shields having certain edge portions thereofdisposed in contiguous contact, with other parts of said edge portionsarranged in spaced relationship with respect to each other, and stripsinterposed between said spaced edge portions and connected with theadjacent shield edges to provide a completed lamp receiving enclosure,said strips each being constructed with perforations providing adecorative design positioned between said spaced edge portions of theshields, guide means on said strips, and interchangeable colored insertscarried by said guide means in superimposed relation with respect tosaid strip perforations, and retaining means to engage said inserts tocounteract accidental withdrawal of said inserts from said guide means.

5. A shade for a lamp comprising at least two segmental shieldscircularly arranged and having adjacent edge portions disposed inseparated positions, each shield being provided with heel edges to abutthe edges of the next adjacent shield, and each shield terminating in asemi-annular rim adjacent said heel edges, retaining clips secured toadjacent inner shield portions respectively at said heel edges toconnect said shields together, and a cap enclosure connected with saidshields externally of said semi-annular rims thereof.

6. A shade for a lamp comprising at least two segmental shieldscircularly arranged and having adjacent edge portions disposed inseparated positions, each shield being provided with heel edges to abutthe edges of the next adjacent shield, and each shield terminating in asemi-annular rim adjacent said heel edges, retaining clips secured toadjacent inner shield portions respectively at said heel edges toconnect said shields together, and reenforcing members connected withsaid shields along the adjacent separated edges thereof and extending toand terminating at said abutting heel edges.

7. A shade for a lamp comprising at least two segmental shieldscircularly arranged and having adjacent edge portions disposed inseparated positions, each shield being provided with heel edges to abutthe edges of the next adjacent shield, and each shield terminating in asemi-annular rim adjacent said heel edges, retaining clips secured toadjacent inner shield portions respectively at said heel edges toconnect said shields together, a decorative strip constructed andarranged for connection between said peripherally separated segmentalshields, and cooperative securing means carried by said strip and saidshields respectively to fasten said parts together thus joining saidseparated shields through said strip.

8. A shade for a lamp comprising at least two segmental shieldscircularly arranged and having adjacent edge portions disposed inseparated positions, each shield being provided with heel edges to abutthe edges of the next adjacent shield, and each shield terminating in asemi-annular rim adjacent said heel edges, retaining clips secured toadjacent inner shield portions respectively at said heel edges toconnect said shields together, a decorative strip constructed andarranged for connection between said peripherally separated segmentalshields, and attaching means carried by said shields and said striprespectively comprising securing ears on said shields, and said striphaving slots therein to receive said ears therethrough.

9. A shade for a lamp comprising at least two segmental shieldscircularly arranged and having adjacent edge portions disposed inseparated positions, each shield being provided with heel edges to abutthe edges of the next adjacent shield, and each shield terminating in asemi-annular rim adjacent said heel edges, retaining clips secured toadjacent inner shield portions respectively at said heel edges toconnect said shields together, a decorative strip constructed andarranged for connection between said peripherally separated segmentalshields, and attaching means carried by said shields and said striprespectively comprising securing ears on said shields, and said striphaving slots therein to receive said ears therethrough, and saidretaining clips each being constructed and arranged to form a pocketadjacent said heel edges to receive the adjacent end of one of thestrips therein.

10. A shade for a lamp comprising at least two segmental shieldscircularly arranged and having adjacent edge portions disposed inseparated positions, each shield being provided with heel edges to abutthe edges of the next adjacent shield, and each shield terminating in asemiannular rim adjacent said heel edges, retaining clips secured toadjacent inner shield portions respectively at said heel edges toconnect said shields together, a decorative strip constructed andarranged for connection between said peripherally separated segmentalshields, and attaching means carried by said shields and said striprespectively comprising securing ears on said shields, and said striphaving slots therein to receive said ears therethrough, said decorativestrip having perforations therein, and a translucent light diffusinginsert connected with said strip in superimposed relation with respectto the perforations therein.

11. A shade for a lamp comprising at least two segmental shieldscircularly arranged and having adjacent edge portions disposed inseparated positions, each shield being provided with heel edges to abutthe edges of the next adjacent shield, and each shield terminating in asemiannular rim adjacent said heel edges, retaining clips secured toadjacent inner shield portions respectively at said heel edges toconnect said shields together, a decorative strip constructed andarranged for connection between said peripherally separated segmentalshields, and attaching means carried by said shields and said striprespectively comprising securing ears on said shields, and said striphaving slots therein to receive said ears therethrough, said decorativestrip having channel members thereon and having perforations formedtherein between said channel members, and a translucent light diffusinginsert carried in said channel members and in superimposed relation withrespect to the perforations therein.

12. A shade for a lamp comprising at least two segmental shieldscircularly arranged and having adjacent edge portions disposed inseparated positions, each shield being provided with heel edges to abutthe edges of the next adjacent shield, and each shield terminating in asemi-annular rim adjacent said heel edges, retaining clips secured toadjacent inner shield portions respectively at said heel edges toconnect said shields together, a decorative strip constructed andarranged for connection between said peripherally separated segmentalshields, and attaching means carried by said shields and said striprespectively comprising securing ears on said shields, and said striphaving slots therein to receive said ears therethrough, said decorativestrip having channel members thereon and having perforations formedtherein between said channel members, and a translucent light diffusinginsert carried in said channel members and in superimposed relation withrespect to the perforations therein, said securing ears being spacedfrom the end portions of said channels and being disposed insubstantially the same plane and coplanar with said insert, and saidinsert having projections thereon for disposition between said ears andchannels to counteract displacement of the insert with respect to thedecorative strip.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 86,987Laws Feb. 16, 1869 796,193 Crooke Aug. 1, 1905 1,363,782 Handel Dec. 28,1920 1,769,000 Smith July 1, 1930 2,298,295 Hyatt et al Oct. 13, 19422,496,482 Madan et al. Feb. 7, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 463,280 France Dec.12, 1913 308,908 Great Britain Apr- 4, 1929

